San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and Auction

#2 Benefit (new to the list) In 2015, the auction raised $4.5 million for kids' education in Sonoma County. The food-centric function brings together 200 winemakers and top chefs over Labor Day weekend. Next: September 2-4, 2016

Photo: George Rose

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala

#3 Benefit In 2015, the event sold out of tickets for its pre-ballet dinner, performance, and after-party. The dinner drew nearly 1,000 guests; the performance saw more than 3,300; and the after-party had a crowd of more than 2,400. The gala raised a record-breaking $2.7 million. Next: January 21, 2016

Photo: Courtesy of San Francisco Ballet

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Wine Auction

#4 Benefit Hosted by the Guardsmen since 1947, the auction provides resources for at-risk youth. The event features fine-wine tastings from 30 wineries with 400 attendees. There are also rare auction lots, dinner, dancing, and live entertainment. The approximately $2 million in proceeds annually sends 2,500 disadvantaged youth to outdoor programs and provides funds for 250 private school scholarships. Next: April 2016

Photo: Gustavo Fernández Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Jazz Gala

#5 Benefit In 2015, the event honored Joni Mitchell. Though Mitchell could not attend for health reasons, the evening featured performances of her work from the likes of Burt Bacharach. It raised more than $1.5 million for music education programs. Next: Spring 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Oakland Museum Women's Board’s White Elephant Sale

#7 Benefit Known as the biggest rummage sale in Northern California, the event takes over a 96,000-square-foot warehouse. Some 1,000 volunteers staff the sale, which slings everything from vintage comics to boats. It raised $2.1 million for the museum in 2015, setting a new fund-raising record. Next: March 5-6, 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Oakland Museum's Women's Board

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Great Chefs and Wineries

#8 Benefit (up from #10) The fund-raiser, which benefits Lifehouse and supports individuals with developmental disabilities, raised more than $550,000 in 2015. Huey Lewis is an honorary chair; past musical guests have included Huey Lewis and the News, Tower of Power, and Foreverland. Next: April 16, 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Lifehouse

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

California Academy of Sciences’ Big Bang Gala

#9 Benefit (up from #11) Held at the Academy of Sciences, the fund-raiser includes conversations with great thinkers, including University of California president Janet Napolitano. It also features dinner and an after-party with cocktails, desserts, and dancing. Next: April 2016

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Pigs & Pinot

#10 Benefit (up from #12) Chef Charlie Palmer’s event draws food- and wine-loving philanthropists from across the country. In 2015, more than 60 winemakers donated pinot to help raise more than $600,000 for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Proceeds also went to local Sonoma County charities and scholarships. Next: March 18-19, 2016

Photo: Charlie Gisell

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Edgewood Fair

#11 Benefit (up from #13) In 2015, the two-day function, which features an auction and a shopping marketplace, raised more than $370,000 to help improve the behavioral health of children, youth, and families. Held at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio, the event also included a gala. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Moanalani Jeffrey Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Notes & Words

#12 Benefit (up from #15) Benefitting Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, the event features best-selling authors as well as actors and music groups on stage. At the 2015 event, more than 2,000 guests convened at the Paramount, and featured writers included David Brooks and Anna Quindlen. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Alain McLaughlin Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Compassion Is Universal

#13 Benefit (up from #16) Benefitting the Shanti Project, which provides emotional and practical support to those facing life-threatening illness, this year’s event will be hosted by actor Omar Sharif. Nordstrom is the presenting sponsor. Next: October 14, 2015

Photo: Tara Luz Stevens for Drew Altizer Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Dine & Discover

#14 Benefit Benefitting Spur, the event offers cocktails and culinary creations from local chefs. In 2015 it was held at the One Kearny Club and featured dishes from chefs such as Adam Keough of the Absinthe Group and Justin Simoneaux of Boxing Room. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Spur

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Academy of Art University Graduation Fashion Show and Award Ceremony

#1 Fashion Industry Event Industry icons such as Suzy Menkes turn out annually for this student fashion show, and star designers hand out scholarships. In recent years, participating design houses have included Missoni, BCBG, and Yigal Azrouel. Next: May 2016

Photo: Anthony Rogers of Neo Visualism Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

California College of the Arts’ Annual Fashion Show

#2 Fashion Industry Event The school’s fashion design program presents this juried show each spring. The 2014 iteration showcased collections from 13 senior students, and industry professionals acted as judges. Clothes were also worn by professional models. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Jim Norrena

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Vintage Fashion Expo

#3 Fashion Industry Event A vintage marketplace for home design, fashion, and accessories, the event takes place two times a year in San Francisco. Through a partnership with Dress for Success, it raises funds for disadvantaged women. This year's fall event took place at the Hall of Flowers. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Vintage Exposition Inc.

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

PoshFest

#4 Fashion Industry Event (new to the list) Hundreds of "Poshers," or users of the popular clothing reselling app Poshmark, come together at the San Francisco Design Center for the festival. The event includes panels, workshops, and parties; it teaches attendees how to increase Poshmark earnings. Next: November 7-8, 2015

Photo: Jorge Novoa

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Burning Man

#1 Art & Design Event Founded in San Francisco in 1986, Burning Man has since relocated to Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The event retains its loyal San Francisco fan base, however, and each year it attracts some 50,000 revelers. With no brand sponsorship—only giant art installations—the gathering engenders a sense of community among its guests (called “participants”) and forms a D.I.Y. pop-up village of sorts. The centerpiece of the event, and the act that inspires its name, is the ritualistic burning of a giant wooden effigy. After each event, no trace is left behind. Next: August 28-September 5, 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

West Coast Craft

#2 Art & Design Event (up from #5) The craft and design show has generated lots of buzz with its expertly curated group of artists, designers, and craftspeople whose work is inspired by the West Coast lifestyle. The event happens twice every year in the summer and winter. Last year, the winter show drew 175 vendors and 15,000 attendees. Next: November 14-15, 2015

Photo: Myleen Hollero

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Maker Faire

#3 Art & Design Event The organizers of the event describe it as: “part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new.” Launched in 2006, the event draws some 86,000 attendees each year. It has spawned nearly 100 independently produced “Mini” and “Featured Maker” fairs around the world. Next: May 21-22, 2016

Photo: Becca Henry

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Renegade Craft Fair

#4 Art & Design Event Hundreds of craft businesses have launched at the twice-annual fair, which draws 25,000 guests a year. Events also happen in other cities around the world including London, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Next: November 21-22, 2015

Photo: Hollin Brodeur for Renegade Craft Fair

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Decorator Showcase

#5 Art & Design Event Running since 1977, the showcase is regarded as one of the West Coast’s premier design events, and it highlights the work of top interior and landscape designers at local homes. The event raises funds for San Francisco University High School’s financial aid program and draws some 15,000 visitors each year. Next: Spring 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Fall Antiques Show

#6 Art & Design Event Some 10,000 collectors attend the annual show, which features approximately 60 vendors from the United States and Europe. The oldest international arts and antiques show on the West Coast, it sells everything from furniture to paintings and jewelry. Next: October 22-25, 2015

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

American Craft Council San Francisco Show

#7 Art & Design Event The three-day event focuses on handmade objects. Held at the Fort Mason Center, the juried craft show offers jewelry, clothing, and more from 225 American artists. Next: Summer 2016

Photo: Courtesy of American Craft Council

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

FOG Design & Art

#8 Art & Design Event (new to the list) The event celebrates contemporary and modern art, design, and architecture through installations, exhibits, and special programs. Attendees include gallery owners, architects, and artists. Proceeds go to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which is under construction and slated to reopen in 2016. Next: January 14-17, 2016

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

KPFA Crafts Fair

#9 Art & Design Event Known as the largest weekend holiday arts fair of its kind in Northern California, the event benefits listener-funded radio station KPFA 94.1. It offers handmade goods from more than 200 exhibitors. Next: December 19-20, 2015

Photo: Beppe Sabitini

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Tribal & Textile Art Show

#10 Art & Design Event The leading art fair focused on art from the tribal cultures in the United States, the show has 80 participating galleries. The galleries represent the arts of Asian, Oceanic, African, Native American, and Latin American indigenous people. Next: February 19-21, 2016

Photo: Nora Stratton

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Re:Make

#11 Art & Design Event Launched in 2013, the event, run by Brit&Co, aims to unite the lifestyle and technology communities. In 2015, the event included one day of invite-only talks. A second day, open to the public, had hands-on D.I.Y. projects and handmade wares to shop. Next: Fall 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Oracle OpenWorld

#2 Technology Industry Event Targeting information technology professionals, the conference is hosted by the cloud-based software company Oracle. It draws more than 60,000 live attendees each year. Oracle estimates that some 2.1 million attendees join in online. Next: October 25-29, 2015

Photo: Courtesy of Oracle

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Apple Worldwide Devlopers Conference

#3 Technology Industry Event Of the 300,000 people that apply for a ticket to the conference, only 5,000 are admitted. The competitive event draws a target crowd of software developers, and Apple uses it to showcase new software and technologies. Next: June 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Google I/O

#4 Technology Industry Event Prospective attendees must win a lottery in order to purchase a ticket to Google’s largest conference. Geared toward software developers, the conference draws about 6,000 attendees a day, and millions tune in virtually. Nearly 600 “I/O Extended” events also take place on six continents, and sessions and local developer demos are live-streamed. Next: June 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Google

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Game Developers Conference

#5 Technology Industry Event (up from #6) The conference is the world’s largest and longest-running professionals-only gaming-industry gathering. It draws more than 23,000 attendees and offers an expo. Also on its lineup: 400 lectures, tutorials, and panel and roundtable discussions. Next: March 14-18, 2016

Photo: UBM Tech Game Network

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

JavaOne

#6 Technology Industry Event (up from #7) The world’s largest conference for Java programmers, with more than 60,000 attendees, is hosted by Oracle and held concurrently with Oracle OpenWorld. Last year’s event, located primarily at local hotels, offered 400 sessions ranging from hands-on labs to keynote speeches. Next: October 25-29, 2015

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Y-Combinator Demo Day

#8 Technology Industry Event (up from #10) Y Combinator provides seed funds for start-ups, and twice a year it hosts a showcase that lets roughly 80 start-ups deliver presentations to investors. Approximately 450 investors fly in from around the globe for the prestigious event. The demo day has funded more than 800 companies that now have valuations of more than $30 billion. Next: March 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Wisdom 2.0 Conference

#10 Technology Industry Event (new to the list) Technology meets mindfulness at this conference. Speakers, who have included Alanis Morissette, the C.E.O. of LinkedIn, and designer Eileen Fisher, cover topics including wisdom, technology, business, and society. Next year will be the seventh annual event. Next: February 20-22, 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade

#1 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Regarded as the second-largest pride celebration in the world (Sao Paolo hosts the largest), the rainbow-decked celebration drew a record one million-plus people in 2015. It includes a celebration at City Hall, a parade with 200 contingents, and main stage performances from the likes of Lady Gaga. In 2015, the headliner was Shiny Toy Guns. Next: June 25-26, 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Fleet Week

#2 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair With an average attendance of 1.2 million guests, the grandiose event includes a parade of navy ships passing under the Golden Gate Bridge and an air show featuring stunts from the United States Navy Blue Angels. Sponsors include Bank of America and United Airlines. Next: October 5-12, 2015

Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan A. Colon

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Chinese New Year Festival and Parade

#3 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Presented by Southwest Airlines, the gathering is billed as the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of China. The festive event—a tradition since the 1860s—draws more than 400,000 attendees each year. Next: February 20, 2016

Photo: Knight Lights Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Carnaval

#4 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Billed as “the largest multicultural celebration on the West Coast,” the event celebrates Latin American and Caribbean culture. It draws 400,000 guests and includes a grand parade with 52 marching and dancing contingents and floats. Next: May 2016

Photo: David Yu Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Chinese New Year Flower Fair

#5 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair The event takes place before the Chinese New Year and allows families to purchase plants, flowers, candies, and fruits for the celebration. It draws more than 400,000 attendees. There’s also a mini procession with lion dancers, puppets, stilt walkers, drummers, and dancers. Next: January 30-31, 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

North Beach Festival

#7 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Now 62 years old, the event is considered one of the country’s first outdoor festivals. It has Italian street painting, live music, a kids' chalk area, and more than 150 booths with arts, crafts, and more. There’s also a blessing of the animals. Next: June 11-12, 2016

Photo: SRES Inc.

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Haight Ashbury Street Fair

#8 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair The quintessentially San Francisco fair will mark its 39th anniversary in 2016. Celebrating the hippie culture that the street is known for, the event includes arts and crafts, live music, food booths, and a family-friendly area known as “Child’s Alley.” Next: June 12, 2016

Photo: David Yu Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Day of the Dead Ritual Procession

#9 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair (new to the list) With 350,000 participants and spectators, the event is known as the largest ritual procession of its kind in the United States. Each year the buzz and popularity increase, and festivities include music, performances, and large-scale community altar installations. Next: November 2, 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Folsom Street Fair

#10 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair With an annual attendance of around 400,000, the event is known as the world’s largest leather event (in fact, many guests identify as "fetish enthusiasts"). Spread out over 13 blocks, the fair features 200 exhibitor booths, a live music stage, and an “erotic artists area.” Next: September 27, 2015

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Celebration

#11 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair The colorful event outgrew its original home in Dolores Park and moved to Golden Gate Park in 2013. The unusual celebration includes an Easter bonnet contest alongside burlesque performances. Also popular: the “Hunky Jesus” and “Foxy Mary” contests. Next: March 27, 2016

Photo: Gareth Gooch

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

#12 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Some 200,000 guests attend the two-weekend-long celebration of Japanese-American culture each year. Known as the second-largest celebration of its kind in the United States (the largest is in Washington, D.C.), the event includes martial arts, a queen program, and a grand parade. There’s also a kids’ corner that has educational offerings for tots. Next: April 9-10 and April 16-17, 2016

Photo: Courtesy of 2015 NCCBF Photo Pool

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

#13 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Held in Half Moon Bay, which is called “the world pumpkin capital,” the event is 45 years old. It displays gigantic pumpkins, three stages of live entertainment, and a multitude of pumpkin-theme eats. Last year, a highlight was the world’s largest mosaic pumpkin sculpture, which was created by artist Peter Hazel and weighed 100,000 pounds. Next: October 17-18, 2015

Photo: Miramar Events

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland

#14 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair Every winter for the past 36 years, a neighborhood in Marin County transforms into a scene from the North Pole thanks to 40 tons of imported snow. A big draw is free sledding. Other highlights include arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, a tree lighting ceremony, and the Parade of Lights complete with Santa and his friends—one of the largest parades in the Bay Area. Next: November 27, 2015

Photo: Courtesy of San Rafael Parade of Lights

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Bay to Breakers

#1 Sports Event Bay to Breakers was founded in 1912, making it the world's longest consecutively run footrace. The 12K starts near the San Francisco Bay and finishes at the Great Highway near the ocean. It draws 50,000 participants (most in outrageous costumes, some naked) and 100,000 spectators each year. Next: May 15, 2016

Photo: David Yu Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Titans of Mavericks

#2 Sports Event One of the world’s largest big-wave surfing competitions, the invitational draws surfers and surf fans from across the globe. Known for its dangerous and huge waves, the event happens two miles from shore in Pillar Point Harbor, just north of Half Moon Bay. The water is flat much of the year, and 24 invitees are given 24 hours’ notice before the competition begins. Next: November 1, 2015-March 31, 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Big Sur Marathon

#3 Sports Event (up from #4) The race offers one of the most gorgeous views available while running 26.2 miles. Runner’s World magazine named the event one of the top three marathons in the country. Route 1 is entirely blocked off during the race, which wends through mountain and ocean-filled terrains. Next: April 24, 2016

Photo: Sharon Garber

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Nike Women's Half Marathon

#4 Sports Event (up from #5) Some 25,000 runners raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of the 13.1-mile race. Nike Plus members have access to registration, training, and race-day experiences; there’s also a dedicated app for the marathon. Next: October 18, 2015

Photo: Courtesy of Nike

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Marathon

#5 Sports Event Managed by a team that formerly produced Bay to Breakers, the urban road race takes runners on a tour of San Francisco’s iconic sites—it even crosses the Golden Gate Bridge. The race draws 250,000 runners and has strong local support. Sixty percent of the runners are from the Bay Area, and 80 percent are from California. Next: July 31, 2016

Photo: Myles Smythe/Michigan Bluff Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Cal vs. Stanford Football Game

#6 Sports Event First played 123 years ago, the "Big Game" between the California Golden Bears of Berkeley and the Cardinals of Stanford is the oldest college football rivalry in the west. The week leading up the game is filled with rallies and other spirited festivities including sailing and water polo competitions. Next: November 21, 2015

Photo: StanfordPhoto.com

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

KNBR 680 Giants Fan Fest

#7 Sports Event San Francisco Giants fans hit the field at AT&T Park to play catch and mingle with players. Other activities include face painting in the “Fan Lot,” a Fan Fest fashion show, and Q&A and autograph sessions with the players. Estimated attendance is 35,000. Next: February 2016

Photo: Pat Johnson Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Bay Area National Dance Week

#8 Sports Event More than 600 free dance events, including open rehearsals, classes, performances, and lecture demonstrations, kick off each year with One Dance, featuring 700 dancers performing the same routine together in Union Square. Attendance is more than 20,000 annually; 2016 will be its 18th year. Next: April 22-May 1, 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

#10 Sports Event (new to the list) Since its inception 25 years ago, the 5K race has raised significant money for breast cancer research. Organizers call it "the world’s largest and most successful education and fund-raising event for breast cancer ever created." Next: Fall 2016

Photo: Apollo Fotografie/Courtesy of Susan G. Komen

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

#1 Music Event (up from #2) As other festivals in the Bay Area have become overcrowded and less manageable, the free fest in Golden Gate Park has remained a smooth operation while still drawing a large number of attendees. It offers more than 100 musical acts on seven stages, and this year performers will include Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Punch Brothers, and Jessica Pratt. Last year, attendance exceeded half a million guests. Next: October 2-4 2015

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Outside Lands Music Festival

#2 Music Event The music festival features more than 100 artists on five stages across Golden Gate Park and draws an annual attendance of more than 200,000. The 2015 lineup included Elton John, Mumford & Sons, the Black Keys, and Kendrick Lamar. The event also offers various food and art vendors as well as comedy performances. Next: August 2016

Photo: Jeff Kravitz for FilmMagic

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Treasure Island Music Festival

#3 Music Event (up from #6) With a lineup that this year includes Deadmau5, the National, FKA Twigs, and Azalea Banks, the festival is growing in popularity. The event sells out each year and has a typical attendance of 15,000 per day. Next: October 17-18, 2015

Photo: Josh Withers

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Fillmore Street Jazz Festival

#4 Music Event The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, the event fills 12 city blocks with vendor booths and three stages. Held over July 4th weekend, it typically attracts more than 100,000 visitors. This year, acts included the California Jazz Conservatory Ensemble led by Dillon Vado. Next: July 2-3, 2016

Photo: SRES Inc.

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Live 105 BFD

#5 Music Event With five stages and 40 acts, the lineup focuses on alternative acts. This year’s bands included Modest Mouse, Of Monsters and Men, and Atlas Genius. The affordable festival drew more than 20,000 guests in 2015. Next: June 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Live 105

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

BottleRock Napa Valley

#6 Music Event Imagine Dragons, No Doubt, and Robert Plant played at the three-day food, wine, and music festival this year. More than 100,000 guests attended the event, which had sponsors such as Intel, Coors Light, and Williams Sonoma. Next: May 27-29, 2016

Photo: Courtesy BottleRock Napa Valley

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Bridge School Benefit Concert

#7 Music Event Neil Young founded the benefit for the Bridge School, which assists people with speech and physical impairments. Held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, the event features performances from big-name acts. In 2015, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, Spoon, and Ryan Adams will perform. Next: October 24-25, 2015

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Stern Grove Music Festival

#8 Music Event The 10-week concert series takes place in a grove in the Sunset district every summer. The event offers free performances, and last season’s talent included Talib Kweli, Morris Day and the Time, the San Francisco Ballet, and Tune-Yards. Attendance in 2015 was nearly 100,000 people. Next year will mark the festival’s 79th season. Next: June 19-August 21, 2016

Photo: Scott Wall

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Noise Pop

#9 Music Event For 23 years, the 12-day event has celebrated indie music, film, and arts. It features intimate live performances, film screenings, and special events at more than 20 venues throughout the city. This year’s acts included the New Pornographers, Ben Gibbard, and Best Coast. Next: February 19-27, 2016

Photo: Bailey Greenwood

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Jazz Festival

#10 Music Event Described by The Los Angeles Times as “the preeminent event of its kind in the United States,” the jazzy festival will mark its 34th year in 2016. Held in the new San Francisco Jazz Center, the event offers 44 performances over 12 days. Next: June 2016

Photo: Jay Blakesberg, courtesy of SFJazz

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Opera's Opera Ball

#11 Music Event (up from #14) More than 3,000 guests flock to the black-tie gala each year. Dubbed “Moonlight and Music,” this year’s function marked the opening of the opera's 93rd season and included a performance of Verdi's Luisa Miller. Afterwards, patrons headed to City Hall for a banquet feast. Next: September 2016

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Symphony's Opening Night Gala

#12 Music Event This year, the black-tie event included a pre-concert sparkling wine hour and three separate dinners. Kelsey Grammer was the featured guest artist; vocalists Alexandra Silber and Nathan Gunn also performed with the San Francisco Symphony. A glamorous after-party welcomed all 2,700 concertgoers. Next: September 2016

Photo: Courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

#13 Music Event (new to the list) Held over seven weekends in the fall, the festival presents world and jazz music, dance, and theater for the whole family with a focus on diversity. It also includes a Thursday lunchtime series. Next: October 1, 2015

Photo: YBGF

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Mill Valley Film Festival

#1 Film & Media Event Founded in 1977, the festival spans 11 days and is known internationally. It has screened such films as Slumdog Millionaire and Argo, and it draws participation from 200 filmmakers representing 50 countries. This year, actors in attendance will include Sarah Silverman, Carey Mulligan, and Brie Larson. Next: October 8-18, 2015

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco International Film Festival

#2 Film & Media Event The longest-running film festival in the Americas celebrates global cinema. It offers screenings of approximately 200 films from 50 countries, and many of the featured films have not yet secured United States distribution. The festival will mark its 59th year in 2016. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Tommy Lau, courtesy of San Francisco Film Society

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Center for Asian American Media’s CAAMFest

#3 Film & Media Event The largest Asian-American film festival in North America screens 130 works at venues in Chinatown, Oakland, and Berkley. The 2015 even drew 27,000 attendees and more than 250 filmmakers and industry guests from around the world. Next: March 10-20, 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

#4 Film & Media Event The world’s first and largest Jewish film festival draws more than 30,000 attendees each year. Held over the course of three weeks, the event screens Jewish films from around the world in four Bay Area venues. Next: Summer 2016

Photo: Barak Shrama

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Independent Film Festival

#5 Film & Media Event The festival, which showcases independent, alternative, and subversive films, celebrated its 17th anniversary in 2015. Attendance is about 21,000 guests each year. Next: February 11-26, 2016

Photo: Jeff Ross

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Arab Film Festival

#6 Film & Media Event Founded in 1996, the festival is the largest independent annual showcase of Arab films and filmmakers in the country. It is also held in Los Angeles and San Diego. Next: October 16-25 2015

Photo: Elqare Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco DocFest

#7 Film & Media Event Presented by San Francisco IndieFest, the festival aims to engage a young audience with documentary cinema. Its films cover topics ranging from social media to music. Next: June 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Litquake

#8 Film & Media Event Featuring more than 800 authors in nine days, the event attracts some 15,000 guests each year. It features readings, youth programs, classroom visits, and book giveaways; it has also spawned localized “Lit Crawl” events, held in such markets as Miami and Los Angeles. Sponsors include Bloomberg Philanthropies and CraigConnects. Next: October 9-17, 2015

Photo: Shelley Eades, courtesy of LitQuake

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Pop-Up Magazine

#9 Film & Media Event The 100-minute program unfolds like a magazine, with short reviews and dispatches at its start; it concludes with drinks. Billed as the world’s first live magazine, the event features writers, documentary filmmakers, photographers, illustrators, and radio producers. It has spread to Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Chicago, and New York. Next: October 8, 2015

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Silent Film Festival

#10 Film & Media Event Celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2016, the festival educates the public about silent film. Annual attendance is approximately 18,000 guests, and the event offers some 17 programs over four days. Next: June 2-5, 2016

Photo: Pamela Gentile

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

SF Sketchfest

#11 Film & Media Event (new to the list) The event will mark its 15th year in 2016. For most of January, top and up-and-coming comedians perform throughout the city. Previous acts have included Aziz Ansari, Candice Bergen, and Fred Armisen. Next: January 7-24, 2016

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Wine Road Barrel Tasting in Sonoma

#1 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry EventThe two-weekend-long event invites guests to chat with winemakers and sample wines right out of the barrel. Unlike other events of its kind, the event offers no food pairings, and is strictly about the wine (for which the area is celebrated). It draws participation from some 140 wineries. Next: March 4-6 and March 11-13, 2016

Photo: Wine Road

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Gilroy Garlic Festival

#2 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry EventIn 2015, the event drew more than 95,000 guests (up from its 2014 attendance of 80,000). Held in Gilroy’s Christmas Hill Park, the festival offers foods including garlic ice cream, along with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and cooking demonstrations. Its revenue this year was approximately $2.1 million. Next: July 29-31, 2016

Photo: Bill Strange

Top 100

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

The 7x7 Big Eat Live

#3 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry EventThe event offers snacks from local restaurants, along with beer, wine, cocktails, and music. Inspired by 7x7 magazine’s list of “100 Things to Eat in San Francisco Before You Die,” it takes place at AT&T Park. Next: Summer 2016

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Eat Real Fest

#4 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry EventSupporting the Food Craft Institute, the festival offers dishes prepared with local ingredients. Held in Jack London Square, it also has artisan beers, local wines, and food. More than 500,000 guests have attended the event since it launched in 2009. In 2015, the specialty was drought-friendly fare. Next: Fall 2016

Photo: Scout Hebinck

Top 100

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival

#5 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry EventMore than 30 vendors donate desserts to the festival, which benefits Project Open Hand. Other highlights include a chocolate and wine pavilion, an ice-cream-eating contest, chef demonstrations, and a silent auction. Some 40,000 guests attend each year. Next: September 2016

Photo: Kevin Trexler- Source Photography

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

FallFest

#6 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry EventRestaurants, wineries, and epicurean artisans participate in the day, which includes wine and food tastings, a barbecue grill-off, and chef demonstrations. The event is hosted by San Francisco magazine. Next: October 10, 2015

Photo: Robert Lugtu

Top 100

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Taste of Potrero

#7 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event The benefit for Daniel Webster Elementary School has been an annual sellout since it launched in 2011. It draws 800 guests to Pier 70 each year and offers samples from 30 local restaurants and bars. Next: Spring 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Taste of Potrero

Top 100

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Brews on the Bay

#8 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list) The annual beer fest has taken place aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien for the past 12 years. More than 20 local breweries serve up specialty beers, accompanied by food and music. Next: October 24, 2015

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco International Auto Show

#1 Trade Show & Convention The massive auto show turns 58 this year and features more than 800 vehicles from 37 manufacturers. The event fills 1.2 million square feet of the Moscone Center. Next: November 21-29, 2015

Photo: Courtesy of the San Francisco International Auto Show

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Winter Fancy Food Show

#2 Trade Show & Convention The West Coast's largest specialty food and beverage show features more than 80,000 products, which range from confections to cheese and coffee. The show packs in some 1,400 exhibitors and will mark its 41st year in 2016. Next: January 17-19, 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Specialty Foods

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San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

San Francisco Wedding Fair

#3 Trade Show & Convention The event attracts more than 75 elite wedding professionals and takes place at the Four Seasons Hotel. Guests sip chilled champagne while checking out cakes from top chefs, calligraphy, honeymoon destinations, and more. Next: January 2016

Top 100

San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2015

Bay Area Convention of the Tattoo Arts

#4 Trade Show & Convention Going into its 11th year, the convention draws top artists from the tattoo trade. This year, it takes place at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport and will offer seminars, Ed Hardy-sponsored opening and closing parties, and limited-edition T-shirts and posters. Next: October 30-November 1, 2015